Filter-grid support



Jan. 3, 1967 .J. SCHMERLER FILTER-GRID SUPPORT Filed July 23, 1964 FIG.

ass M mf INVENTOR,

JOSEPH SCHMERLER ATTORMSV United States Patent 3,295,687 FILTER-GRID SUPPORT Joseph Schmerler, New York, N.Y., assignor to Major Pool Equipment Corp., South Kearny, NJ. Filed July 23, 1964, Ser. No. 384,630 4 Claims. (Cl. 210--486) This invention relates generally to filter grid supports, and particularly to such elements which are resistant to deterioration under stress while in use.

It is an object of the invention to .provide a filtergrid support having parts which slide with respect to each other when under stress.

It is another object of the invention to provide a filtergrid support which is made of two identical filter-grids.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a filter-grid support having interlocking members in addition to flexible, sliding members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filtergrid support which is relatively durable, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and lends itself to a highly efficient and rapid filtering action.

These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be attained by the device shown by way of illustration in the drawings in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a filter-grid;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of a pair of filter-grids in spaced relation to each other, positioned to be engaged with each other, for interlocking;

FIGURE 3 is a perpsective view of an interlocking pin and socket of a filter grid support;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of a pair of interlocked filter-grids; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial end view of a pair of interlocked filter-grids showing the nozzle.

In .a filter, it is necessary to use some means to retain the filtration material in the filter chamber. A mere fabric sheet will not suflice, nor will a fabric blag communicating with the outlet from the filter chamber. It has become the practice to insert a filter-grid support in a fabric bag to keep the fabric walls in spaced relation, in order for the filtered fluid to be rapidly discharged. Such filter-grid supports are subjected to stresses in the filter chamber and frequently break under stress. The present filter-grid support has been found to be highly resistant to breakage under stress.

The filter-grid support consists of a pair of identical filter-grids 11 arranged in opposition to each other as shown in partial views 4 and 5. In order that they may be cooperative with each other, they are constructed in a particular manner. This enables the use of identical supports arranged in pairs, to perform the function that ordinarily would require two separate, different supports. Considerable advantage by way of economy is thereby attained. Furthermore, the special construction attains great strength and resistance to stress.

The filter-grid 11 is made of a chosen plastic material having considerable rigidity, yet being slightly flexible. It is molded in the usual manner in a die. It has a plurality of longitudinal 12 and latitudinal 13 cross-members defining a lattice, ha ving inside and outside surfaces lying in generally the same plane. On the inside surface of the lattice of longitudinal 12 and latitudinal 13 cross members, there are numerous contacts or enlargements of different character. For the purposes of placement of these different types of enlargements, the lattice is divided into a right section 14 and a left section 15. With certain exceptions hereinafter noted, the intersection of each longitudinal 12 and latitudinal 13 cross-member is provided with a short, elongated, generally rectangular enlargement or contact 17, 18. Except for the central longitudinal cross member 16, the elongated enlargements 17 on the 3,295,687 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 left section 15 are disposed latitudinally. And also except for the central longitudinal cross member 16, the elongated enlargements 18 on the right section 14 are disposed longitudinally. It is therefore apparent, that when a pair of identical filter-grids 11 are arranged in opposition, they will be spaced apart by pairs of opposing enlargements 17, 18 which are arranged transversely in general perpendicularity to each other as to their contact surfaces (see contact points 10, 10 in FIGURE 4). Thus the contact surfaces of the opposing enlargements 17, 18 are able to slide back and forth a small distance over each other as the filter-grids 11, 11 arranged in opposition to each other, are subjected to stress and flex with re spect to each other. The central longitudinal cross member 16 is provided with alternate enlargements 17, 18 disposed respectively latitudinally and longitudinally.

In addition to elongated enlargements 17, 18, selected intersections of latitudinal 13 and longitudinal cross-members 12 at the outermost longitudinal cross member is provided with sockets 19 on the left section 15, and the outermost longitudinal cross member on the right section 14, is provided with corresponding, cooperative pins 20 at selected intersections. In addition, the left section 15 has a intermediate longitudinal member 21 provided with pins 20, and a corresponding opposite longitudinal member 22 on the right section 14 is provided with sockets 19. When a pair of filter-grids 11, 11 are arranged in opposition, the pins 20 and the sockets 21 will engage each other and attach the two grids 11, 11 together to form a filter-grid support.

The filter-grid 11 has a half nozzle 235 at one end, and this half nozzle, in cooperation with the half nozzle 23 on an opposite filter grid 11, defines an attachment nozzle 24 for a discharge hose or manifold connection (see FIG- URE 5).

A filter-grid spacer composed of a pair of interlocked filter-grids 11 is utilized in the following manner. It is enclosed in a fabric bag which is penetrable by fluids. Other material beside fabric may be used. The mesh of the fabric should be such as to be somewhat resistant to penetration by diatomaceous earth or other similar filtration material. The bag has an opening through which the nozzle projects so that it may be connected to a hose or an outlet manifold. The filter-grid support sustains the opposite, fabric walls of the bag in spaced relation to each other so as to be readily penetrable by fluid which can pass through the latitudinal and longitudinal cross members 12, 13 and out through the nozzle 24. The filter-grid support and surrounding bag is placed in a filtration chamber, with the nozzle connected to an outlet manifold. The chamber then receives a quantity of filtration material such as diatomaceous earth. Fluid to be filtered is introduced at the top of the chamber, passes through the diatomaceous earth, which retains the impurities, thence through the bag to be discharged in the filtered state. The convectional movement of fluid through the bag causes the filtration material to move to, and form a layer on the outer surface of the bag, which layer is held there by reason of fluid flowing through and into the bag. The passage of the fluid through the filtergrids 11, 11, the weight of the filter'grids 11, 11, contraction and expansion of the filter grids 11,. 11 by reason of temperature changes of the fluid, removal and replacement of the diatomaceous earth, exerts stress on the filter-grids 11, 11. In their form as set forth herein, they are able to bend or to flex in accordance with the stresses exerted upon them, because the elongated enlargements 17, 18 can slide upon each other, thereby permitting yielding to stress without rupture or breakage.

The foregoing description is illustrative of one embodiment of the invention. Changes may be made in the (a) a plurality of latitudinal and longitudinal rails, integral and intersecting with each other and defining a right half, and a left half of a generally'rec- 3 construction selection and arrangement of the parts, all Within the scope of the claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed:

tangular lattice,

1. A filter-grid spacer comprising: 5 (b) a plurality of intersections on the right half of the (a) a pair of filter-grids, v lattice having sockets, (b) opposing pins and sockets on the filter-grids fric- (c) a plurality of intersections on the left half of the tionally engaged with each other, lattice corresponding to the sockets on the right half, (c) opposing enlargements on the filter-grids slidably having pins dimensioned to fit the sockets in the right engaged with each other, half, (d) the enlargements being elongated and disposed (d) a plurality of intersections on the right half of the transversely with respect to each other. lattice having elongated enlargements disposed in 2. A filter-grid spacer comprising: general parallelism with each other, (a) the device according to claim 1 and (e) a plurality of intersections on the left half of the (b) a nozzle defined by cooperative half-nozzles on lattice corresponding to the enlargements on the right each of the filter-grids. half of the lattice, having elongated enlargements 3. A filter-grid spacer comprising: disposed in general parallelism with each other and (a) a pair of lattices defining filter-grids, each having transverse to the enlargements on the right half of a plurality of latitudinal and longitudinal rails inthe lattice, tegral and intersecting with each other, (f) a half nozzle on the end rail of the lattice. (b) opposing pins and sockets on the filter-grids, frictionally engaged with each other, References Cited by the Examiner (c) opposing elongated enlargements on the filter-grids UNITED STATES PATENTS slidably engaged with each other,

2,964,194 12/1960 Oliver et al. 210-486 (d) a nozzle defined by half nozzles on each of the 3,019,905 2/1962 Baker et a1 21 4 6 filter-grids,

(e) the elongated enlargements being disposed transversely with respect to each other.

4. A filter-grid comprising:

REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

D. M. RIESS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FILTER-GRID SPACER COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF FILTER-GRIDS, (B) OPPOSING PINS AND SOCKETS ON THE FILTER-GRIDS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER, (C) OPPOSING ENLARGEMENTS ON THE FILTER-GRIDS SLIDABLY ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER, (D) THE ENLARGEMENTS BEING ELONGATED AND DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER. 